Results for 2023 Nebraska Pea variety testing released

Trials for the Winter Peas included 16 varieties and were planted in the fall of 2022. The Spring Pea variety trials were planted in the fall of 2023.

Perkins County Winter and Spring pea seed protein data will be posted in the future. 

For the 2022-23 results of the winter and spring pea variety trials, visit https://cropwatch.unl.edu/varietytest/othercrops. For more information and/or questions, Dipak Santra can be reached via email dsantra2@unl.edu. 

Following are comments from Dipak Santra, UNL alternative crops breeding specialist at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. 

Winter Pea variety trials

The trials were planted in the fall of 2022 with 16 varieties. The varieties included 12 ProGene, two Meridian Seeds, and two Seed Ranch as check. The variety ‘Austrian Winter Pea.

Perkins County - University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Stump Wheat Research Center, near Grant, Neb.

This year's winter pea trial at Perkins County was excellent, considering the dry fall last year and compared to 2021. The trial was planted on dry soil, and there was no visibly significant stand before winter. However, there was a very good stand in the spring, which was lower than the ideal stand by 80-90 percent. The poor stand was due to the volunteer wheat from the preceding crop. The volunteer wheat could not be sprayed on time due to the weather (continuous rain). Not much winter kill was observed.

• Seed Yield: The trial average was 45 bu/acre (ranged 25 bu/acre to 62 bu/acre). The top five yielding varieties are: Blaze (62 bu/acre), Pro 184-7148 (61 bu/acre), Goldenwood (53 bu/acre), Vail (53 bu/acre), and MS21-W4 (52 bu/acre). This is an excellent yield considering the average stand was lower than 50 percent. This suggests the yield could be 70-80 bu/acre with an optimal stand of 80-90 percent.

• The average test weight was 53 lbs/bu (ranging from 47 lbs/bu to 57 lbs/bu).

• Maturity: The average date of 50 percent flowering was June 6 (May 29 to June 11).

• Seed protein data will be available later.

Cheyenne County - UNL-High Plains Ag. Lab, near Sidney, Neb

Failed due to weather, no visible stand in the fall due to too dry soil, resulting in very sporadic stand in the spring.

Spring Pea variety trials

Trials were planted in Spring 2023 with 12 varieties, which included four Meridian Seeds, four ProGene, and five Valesco Genetics. Overall, this year’s spring pea variety testing result was excellent compared to the last 2-3 years’ extremely poor yield due to drought and high temperature. This year’s weather was ideal, with lots of rain and mild temperatures throughout the growing season. Seed yield was significantly higher than the long-term average. Flowering/maturity was approximately 7-10 days later than the long-term average.

Cheyenne County - UNL-High Plains Ag. Lab, near Sidney, Neb.

This year's spring pea trial at Cheyenne County was excellent due to the excellent soil moisture and mild temperature. The trial was planted about a week later than the normal target planting time. The stand was excellent. No disease or insect was observed.  

• Seed Yield: The trial average was 43 bu/acre (ranging from 24 bu/acre to 54 bu/acre). The top five yielding varieties are AAC Beyond (54 bu/acre), AAC Julius (52 bu/acre), 5206 (50 bu/acre), AAC Chrome (49 bu/acre), and MS Winterberry (49 bu/acre).

• The average test weight was 54 lbs/bu (ranging from 49 lbs/bu to 60 lbs/bu).

• Maturity: The average date of 50 percent flowering was June 18 (June 11 to June 26).

• The average weight of 1000 seeds weight was 210g (ranging from 167g – 272g).

• The average seed protein was 23 percent (ranging from 20-26 percent). This is normal. However, it is significantly lower than the last 2-3 years’ seed protein, which is due to dry years with very poor yield. 

Perkins County - UNL-Stump Wheat Research Center, near Grant, Neb.

This year's spring pea trial at Perkins County was excellent due to the excellent soil moisture and mild temperature. The trial was planted about a week later than the normal target planting time. The stand was excellent. No disease or insect was observed.  

• Seed Yield: The trial average was 47 bu/acre (ranging from 33 bu/acre to 56 bu/acre). The top five yielding varieties are AAC Beyond (64 bu/acre), Pro 174-7148 (55 bu/acre), 5206 (54 bu/acre), AAC Chrome (53 bu/acre), and Boost (50 bu/acre).

• The average test weight was 56 lbs/bu (ranging from 55 lbs/bu to 57 lbs/bu).

• Maturity: The average date of 50 percent flowering was June 13 (June 8 to June 21).
• Seed weight and seed protein data will be available later.

Box Butte County - plots near Alliance, Neb., Failed due to hail.